Rancho needs more time for retrofits

DOWNEY - County officials are seeking a 10-year extension for seismic retrofits at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors authorized a state application last week that, if approved, would push the deadline for seismic retrofit compliance to Jan. 1, 2020. The current deadline is Jan. 1, 2013. Retrofitting Rancho would put the hospital in compliance with state law and ensure that it "remain in service beyond 2030," County CEO William Fujioka wrote in a report. The county plans to consolidate inpatient operations at the Jacqueline Perry Institute with support services in an adjacent building. New outpatient buildings will be built, and the existing Harriman building will be renovated for administrative support functions, Fujioka wrote. Officials expect construction and renovations at Rancho to be complete by the end of 2014. -Eric Pierce, City Editor

********** Published: June 26, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 10